15 STEM Summer Programs in Oklahoma for Middle School Students
- Lydia Park
- 3 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you want to spend your summer doing something more fun and engaging than routine activities, STEM programs can give you a structured way to stay involved. They give you a chance to try out ideas, work on small tasks, and see what actually interests you without committing to anything long-term.
STEM summer programs are usually built around activities where you are actively working through something. You might build a simple model, test how a concept works, or try basic coding tasks. Some programs also include short challenges where you solve a problem step by step or work with others to complete a task.
Why should I do a STEM summer program in middle school?
These programs help you build early habits that matter later, like staying with a problem, thinking through steps, and completing what you start. You also begin to understand how subjects like science and math connect when you actually use them together in small projects.
In Oklahoma, schools and local organizations offer STEM programs that are easier to attend without travel or housing costs. Staying local makes these programs more manageable while still giving you real exposure. Over time, this kind of experience helps you build confidence, understand your interests better, and prepare for subjects that become more detailed in high school.
With that, here are 15 STEM summer programs in Oklahoma for middle school students!
15 STEM Summer Programs in Oklahoma for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies | Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective
Application deadline: Varies based on cohort
Dates: Eight weeks | Timing varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
Lumiere’s Junior Explorers Program is a selective online research experience for middle school students, designed to build advanced academic writing and research skills. You begin by selecting a subject area, such as STEM, humanities, or social sciences, and are matched with a PhD-level mentor from a top university. Over the course of the program, you receive a structured introduction to your chosen field, then design and carry out an independent research project focused on a real-world question. To strengthen your writing and analytical abilities, you conclude the program by producing a formal research paper that presents your findings.
Location: University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK.
Cost: Free (includes daily lunch and a travel stipend).
Acceptance size/cohort size: 15 students per session (5 teams of 3).
Dates: Session 1: June 1–June 5; Session 2: June 8–June 12.
Application Deadline: Reviews begin April 1.
Eligibility: Students entering 8th through 10th grade.
The Explore Engineering Summer Academy at the University of Central Oklahoma provides an immersive introduction to various engineering disciplines through a series of hands-on collaborative projects. You will work in small teams under the direct mentorship of current UCO engineering students to solve complex challenges in fields such as aerodynamics, mechatronics, and 3D printing. The curriculum is designed to strengthen critical-thinking skills and foster creative problem-solving as you design, test, and refine your builds. Throughout the week, faculty from the School of Engineering provide instruction, ensuring a high level of academic rigor and individualized support. The program concludes with competitive challenges where you demonstrate your projects' structural integrity and functional efficiency.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies | Financial aid available
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines. You can apply to the program here.
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Students learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Previous student projects have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and creating a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
Location: Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, Okmulgee, OK
Cost: Free (includes housing and meals)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Limited (selective screening process)
Dates: May 31–June 5
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8-10
At the Emerging & Converging Technology Academy, you will experience true campus life by living in student housing while diving deep into specialized technical fields. You will spend your week in state-of-the-art labs where you can apply your math and science skills to real-world areas like engineering technologies, automotive systems, and visual communications. This STEM summer program for middle schoolers in Oklahoma gives you the chance to go "on the job" alongside professionals and college students to see how your interests translate into high-demand careers. Throughout your stay, you will collaborate on hands-on projects that help you build the confidence and skills needed to tackle future academic challenges.
Location: Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow, OK
Cost: Free
Acceptance size/cohort size: Limited (selective application review)
Dates: June 22–June 26
Application Deadline: Review begins April 1; Open until filled
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8–10
At Camp Biomed, you will explore the fascinating intersection of microbiology and molecular biology by performing cutting-edge laboratory procedures. You will have the opportunity to produce bioluminescent bacteria, discovering the scientific mechanisms that allow organisms like jellyfish to "glow" when crossed with bacteria. This STEM summer program for middle schoolers in Oklahoma places you in a molecular research lab where you will learn to interpret experimental outcomes and master troubleshooting techniques alongside university faculty. Beyond the lab bench, you will tour professional research facilities to see how these advanced sciences are applied to modern medical investigations.
Location: Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow, OK
Cost: Free (includes food, snacks, and two t-shirts)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Limited (selective application review)
Dates: June 1–June 5
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8–11
During the Get Green for Blue academy, you will engage in outdoor STEM investigations that connect environmental health directly to your daily life. You will work in teams to collect field data, analyze the chemical and biological health of local water bodies, and propose scientific solutions to water quality issues. This program provides you with professional-grade tools, including a stereoscope and a leather-bound journal, to document your inquiries just like a field researcher. Your experience will include various field trips where you can observe ecological systems firsthand and interact with experts in environmental science.
Location: Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK
Cost: Free (includes lunch and snacks)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Limited (selective application process)
Dates: June 8–June 12
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8–12
At the Robotics Summer Academy, you will dive into the world of smart systems by designing, building, and coding your own robotic vehicles. Your week will be filled with hands-on challenges where you must program your robots to complete complex tasks, such as simulated "pizza delivery" runs or precision "basketball shooting." This program also takes you beyond the classroom with a field trip to FlightSafety Simulation in Broken Arrow, allowing you to see how your robotics skills apply to high-tech industrial settings. You will work closely with university faculty and peers, gaining insight into the engineering design process and the logic behind modern coding.
Location: Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City, OK
Cost: Free (includes breakfast and lunch)
Acceptance size/cohort size: 40 participants
Dates: June 22–June 25
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8–12
At the CHAMPS academy, you will immerse yourself in the fast-paced world of healthcare through high-fidelity simulations and hands-on medical training. You will utilize cutting-edge technology, such as a 3D anatomy table to examine a beating heart and AI-driven pediatric simulators that mimic the reactions of a real child. This STEM summer program for middle schoolers in Oklahoma allows you to earn a formal CPR certification while practicing life-saving maneuvers like intubation and emergency response inside a real ambulance. You will also experience the specialized field of anesthesia through virtual reality and test your own physiological health using interactive diagnostic devices. By the end of this four-day program, you will have a comprehensive understanding of various medical career paths and the specific steps required to enroll in collegiate health profession tracks.
Location: Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK
Cost: Free
Acceptance size/cohort size: Limited (selective application process)
Dates: July 20–July 24
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8–12
At the DroneXperience Summer Academy, you will immerse yourself in the rapidly expanding industry of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). You will spend your week constructing and piloting your own drones while participating in academic classes and training seminars led by experts from technical institutions and law enforcement agencies. This program combines theoretical lessons with applied learning, featuring exciting "Fly Days" and specialized sessions on aerial photography. Throughout the program, you will explore the technological and operational aspects of the drone industry, gaining insights into various STEM career possibilities.
Location: East Central University, Ada, OK
Cost: Free (includes residential housing)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Limited (selective application process)
Dates: May 31–June 5
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Eligibility: Rising 8th and 9th graders
At the Molecules of Nature summer academy, you will unlock the chemical secrets behind everyday phenomena, from how bread rises to how sunscreen protects your skin. During this residential program, you will live on the ECU campus and spend your days in high-tech laboratories synthesizing molecules critical to medicine, agriculture, and food processing. This STEM summer program for middle schoolers in Oklahoma immerses you in the college experience, teaching you how to operate advanced equipment and follow professional safety protocols. Your scientific exploration extends beyond the lab with curated field trips to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area and the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Center.
Location: Great Plains Technology Center, Lawton, OK
Cost/Stipend: $85 per session (includes lunch and t-shirt)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Limited (registration-based per class)
Dates: Session 1/2: June 8–11; Session 3/4: June 15–18
Application Deadline: Registration opens April 7 and closes May 8
Eligibility: Students entering 6th, 7th, and 8th grade
At the Career Connections Summer Camp, you can choose from a variety of specialized tracks that offer hands-on exposure to high-tech and industrial fields. If you are interested in life sciences, you might explore "Biomedical Explorations" to study human anatomy through dissections and microscopy, or you could opt for "Vex Robotics" to build and program units using the VEX5 platform. This program also offers creative technical tracks like 3D animation, photography, and electrical wiring, where you will learn to operate industry-standard equipment. You will spend your sessions in professional-grade labs, working under the guidance of experienced instructors who help you turn your technical interests into practical skills.
Location: STEM Academy, Ada, OK
Cost: Free (no transportation provided)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Limited (Chickasaw citizen preference exercised)
Dates: June 23–June 26
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Girls ages 12–18
At the FemSTEM track of the Chickasaw Nation STEM Academy, you will join a community of young women dedicated to exploring specialized educational paths in science and technology. You will engage in hands-on activities and interactive exercises designed to foster career discovery and build your technical confidence. This program provides a good platform for you to attend lectures and Q&A sessions with successful female professionals currently leading in STEM fields. Through these demonstrations and professional connections, you will gain firsthand insight into the daily realities and rewards of a career in innovation. By the end of the four-day program, you will have a stronger understanding of the diverse opportunities available to you and the academic steps needed to achieve your professional goals.
Location: Murray State College, Tishomingo, OK
Cost: Free
Acceptance size/cohort size: Limited (selective application process)
Dates: June 1–June 5
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Eligibility: Students entering 8th or 9th grade
At the WORLD of STEM Camp, you will spend your week igniting your curiosity through a series of high-energy experiments and interactive workshops. You will have the opportunity to explore various disciplines within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, helping you discover which niche most excites you. This program focuses on hands-on learning, allowing you to move beyond the textbook and into active participation. Throughout the camp, you will hear from inspiring guest speakers who are currently leading the way in the STEM industry, providing you with a glimpse into your potential future.
Location: Tulsa Community College, Tulsa, OK
Cost: Free (includes residential housing and meals)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Limited (selective application process)
Dates: June 7–June 12
Application Deadline: Application opens March 1; notifications sent early April
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (check specific grade requirements upon application)
At the TCC Summer STEM Academy, you will take control of your future by immersing yourself in the world of sustainable technology and renewable energy. During this week-long residential program, you will live in the dorms and work alongside peers to address the environmental challenges your generation will inherit. This STEM summer program for middle schoolers in Oklahoma culminates in a major project where you will design and construct functional devices powered by wind, solar, and water. You will also participate in exciting competitions that test your engineering and mathematical skills in a real-world context. Beyond the lab, you will receive expert advice on college readiness and financial aid to help you plan your academic journey.
Location: Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK
Cost: Free (includes residential housing, all meals, and snacks)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Limited (selective application process)
Dates: June 1–June 4
Application Deadline: Applications open March 1; selection begins April 1
Eligibility: Students entering 9th grade
The PI-STEM Academy at Southeastern Oklahoma State University runs as a four-day residential program where you stay on campus and move through a series of engineering challenges from morning to evening. You begin each day with hands-on sessions where you design and launch water rockets, program drones, and guide them through obstacle courses, while also working on open-ended design problems that require you to come up with and test your own solutions. As the day continues, the challenges shift; you might work on balloon launches or spend time on a project you choose yourself, which gives you space to follow a question that actually interests you. By the end of the program, you put together a video that documents your entire engineering process, showing how your ideas changed, what worked, and what didn’t.
Lydia is an alumna from Harvard University and studied Molecular and Cellular Biology & Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She is working as a life sciences consultant after graduation.
Image Source - Veritas AI logo